Well, how is all the planting and watering going?

Hi Sarah,

How is it all going? I am sure like everything else it is a bit of a learning curve! I still think growing veg is the right way to go, although the hose pipe ban and battering rain does not make the job easy, does it? I am forever lugging cans of water to quench the thirst of my poor veg, I just pray they lift the hose pipe ban soon, otherwise I will be completely muscle bound! The beating rain has  'capped' our clay soil and made a crust on top, so nothing can penetrate through it, so with great reluctance I have had to rake over the surface and destroy any chance of the seeds germinating, and start again. Gardening is such a challenge, makes one despondent when it goes wrong and delighted when it works.

I still think it is the right thing to do, as nothing can beat veg and fruit straight from the garden. It is tempting to get too carried away looking at the brochures and grown everything known to man. I did that one year and spent a forture on seeds and veg plants and there were too many to look after. I know plant the trusted and tried beetroot, runner beans, french beans,  salad. For a few years we have been planting garlic, because I use such a lot of it in cooking and I can't bear to buy it, as most of it comes from China,  and it is so easy to grow here, how did you get on with yours, I know you were going to have a go! Beetroot is one of my favourites, as you can use them ad infinitum in cooking, roasting, pickled, raw, dressed, in salads. I have tried a chocolate and beetroot cake, which was OK but not worth all the fuss, I didn't think. I should think you are delighted in this weather, a good excuse not to cook too much, and have a barby and salad most days. I know people get very worked up about barbeques, the real thing, gas or throw away. We are not a family to build one from scratch and my view probably like most women is, the easiest option and let the blokes do the hard work, make a salad and new spuds and hey ho, supper is done. 

On facebook I have joined a group, what did you cook last night, you can join if you want to, but may not be your bag, it's a bit like a book club but  with food and recipes, no maybe not, you would hate it and probably start making things up as you wouldn't have cooked them anyway! I know you have chicken so you have a fair clutch of eggs, that is a good start. We have been given a new cockerel, he is the meanest bugger I have ever seen, he has coal black eyes that looks as if he is wearing shades, and he pecks Luke every time he goes into the run to get eggs, and he has to go in armed with a watering can and hurls some water over him, a good working relationship eh?

I know Wil is at home on study leave, don't forget to get him to help you with preparing meals, he can peel the veg and lay the table, tell him I'm watching him!!

Let me know how you are.

My love to you,

Aggie.